15 minute read
STORIES
Garden guru
When she was a girl, Amanda McNulty, South Carolina’s beloved horticulturalist and public television personality, spent her days playing outdoors in wooded, undeveloped areas of Columbia. But she took relatively little interest in the flowers and plants that would later become her stock in trade.
Advertisement
That changed when in her late 20s, she took a gardening course at Clemson University. Almost at once, she realized she had found her true calling, and graduated a few years later with a degree in horticulture. Today, McNulty shares her vast knowledge of plants with viewers of Making It Grow, the popular Emmy Awardwinning television show she has hosted since 2012. Traveling around the state, McNulty and her three-person crew produce more than 40 shows each year.
“We have a wonderful time,” McNulty says. “We see many different parts of the state and it is so fun to meet with people.”
Fans frequently ask to have their photograph taken with her, and invariably inquire about McNulty’s famous homemade floral hats, which she wears on her show.
“My children and I used to like to make flower hats,” she says. “We would weave things we found in the yard and put them on our heads just for fun.”
McNulty also writes and narrates about 150 minutelong radio spots each year, and concedes that the relentless challenge of generating compelling topics is probably the most difficult part of her job. And her favorite part of her work? “What I really love most about these shows is going out and interviewing people and learning something new,” she says. “To me, that is even more interesting than horticulture.” —BY TIM HANSON
Amanda McNulty
AGE: 69. HOMETOWN: St. Matthews. FAVORITE FOOD: “I love South Carolina oysters. They are the bomb.” LITTLE-KNOWN FACT: Served for 12 years on the St. Matthews Town Council. FAVORITE PASTIME: Going to movies with friends.
TUNE IN Viewers can watch Making It Grow live at 7 p.m. Tuesdays on SCETV or live on Facebook, facebook.com/makingitgrow. Past episodes and McNulty’s radio spots can be found online at mig.org.
BY CHASE SMOAK | ILLUSTRATIONS BY DAVID CLARK
LAWN & GARDEN ISSUE
Tired of losing tomatoes to unwanted garden pests? Worried you’ll need to sacrifice excellent taste for improved yield? Take a deep breath and relax—this year, you can have your tomato and eat it, too. With the help of a few new varieties and fieldproven tactics, you’ll be on your way to growing the best tomato crop yet.
Growing tomatoes can be a challenge in the South, especially when folks are new to the game. Heck, even seasoned gardeners are caught off-guard from time to time, and that’s OK as long as we learn in the process.
If you want to grow delicious, homegrown tomatoes, simply focus your attention on these three stages of gardening: planning, preparing and protecting.
Selecting varieties Many gardeners claim that if you want great flavor, you’ll need to go heirloom. People selected these landrace tomato varieties long ago for traits such as shape, size and above all else, taste, so the claim has a basis. In their pursuit of a better tomato, however, a significant factor was overlooked — the tomato’s resistance to pest and environmental pressure. If you’ve grown heirlooms in South Carolina, you likely already know how challenging the process can be. This bitter sweet truth has left many gardeners wondering if old-timey taste is a thing of the past. Well, there’s good news: It most definitely is not. Consumer demand for a dependable, flavor some tomato has not fallen on deaf ears. Plant breeders have brought us a number of improved tomato varieties. But with so many options available, how do we find the best choice for our garden?
If you’ve ever asked this question, you’re in luck. An orga nization, coined All-American Selections, or AAS, may have the answer. The group tests new varieties before they hit the market, and their trial notes will tell you everything you need to know.
How does it work? Test plots across the country serve as a stage for blind auditions —it’s a little like a version of American Idol for emerging plants, with a slight twist. The performer’s identity is hidden from judges, and success is determined by out-competing the best comparable opponent, like a battle royale between a hopeful new artist and, say, Bruce Springsteen. If the new guy wins, you’re onto some thing special.
Turn the page for a few 2019 AAS winning tomato variet ies to consider this season. Planning
CONTAINER gardening
Lack the space or time for a traditional garden? No worries. You can grow tomatoes in pots, too. Follow these tips.
u Use pots that are at least 6–8 inches deep with holes underneath for drainage.
u For ease of movement, use dollies or platforms with wheels to shift plants around.
u Use a lightweight potting mix. Packaged mixes are widely available at most garden centers, but be sure to avoid soilless media that lacks the required nutrients.
u When using a potting mix with added fertilizer, wait for 8–10 weeks before adding more nutrients. When it’s time, use a water-soluble fertilizer at its recommended rate.
u Choose your variety with care. For containers, I recommend these AAS-tested varieties.
Terenzo. A cherry-type tomato with a trailing growth habit and sweet fruit. Height at maturity is 16–20 inches, making it a great addition to any spot with full sun and easy access.
Lizzano (shown above). This tasty tomato grows 16–20 inches tall and only 20 inches wide. Lizzano produces a copious amount of fruit, which can be harvested 105 days from seeding or 63 days after transplant. One perk of this variety is its noted resistance to Late Blight, meaning it’ll likely last later into the growing season.
COURTESY OF ALL-AMERICAN SELECTIONS
Red Torch
NATIONAL WINNER
The red-striped, yellow fruit of Red Torch, though small in size, packs a big punch in the taste department. This plant is a prolific early season producer with the capability to provide 100+ tomatoes per plant. AAS trials confirmed this variety’s ability to hold up under a multitude of dis eases and environmental pressures. Red Torch is an indeterminate variety growing 5–6 feet tall, making stakes or trellising a must. For best results, space plants 24–30 inches apart and separate rows by a minimum of 36 inches. You’ll enjoy ripe fruit 60–70 days after transplanting. COURTESY OF ALL-AMERICAN SELECTIONS Red Torch
Chef’s Choice Black R E G I O N A L W I N N E R Southeast, Mountain/Southwest, West/Northwest Who can resist a giant beefsteak tomato? In trials, Chef’s Choice Black displayed supe rior disease resistance to some of the South’s worst pathogens: Tomato Mosaic Virus, Fusarium, and Verticillium wilt. On taste, AAS says, “The large fruit, weighing 8–10 ounces, has a full, sweet flavor with a slight saltiness that comple ments its overall taste.” Gardeners should expect each plant to produce 30 or more fruits throughout the growing season. Plants will ripen early (75 days after transplanting) and grow to a height of 5 feet. Stake or trellis this indeterminate tomato for the best results. Chef’s Choice Black
Mountain Rouge R E G I O N A L W I N N E R Northeast, Southeast, Heartland Mountain Rouge has proven it’s possible to have old-timey, heirloom taste and excellent disease resistance in one package. Resistance to Late Blight, Root Knot Nematode,
Mountain Rouge
COURTESY OF ALL-AMERICAN SELECTIONS
Preparing Site selection and planting The importance of garden location is no big secret. A tomato garden needs access to full sun (6–8 hours a day) and should have good drainage. Tomato plants hate wet feet and often succumb to root rot when left in waterlogged soils. They do, however, need regular watering throughout the growing season, so select a spot with easily accessible water. Irrigating deeply but infrequently strengthens plants and encourages deep, healthy root systems for hot summer days. Avoid using
Verticillium and Fusarium should give this beefsteak tomato an upper hand in hot, humid gardens. The taste of its 12– to 14-ounce pink fruit is described by AAS as a “robust heirloom flavor with a brilliant balance of sweet and acid.” In the garden, separate plants by a minimum of 4 feet and support with stakes or trellises. This variety produced fruit 73 days after transplant and has an average output of 75 tomatoes per plant.
All-American Selections serves as a fantastic resource for both new and seasoned gardens alike, and their trials encompass a wide variety of plants ranging from coleus to cucumber.
Blossom-end rot is a severe abiotic disorder that plagues the tomato plants of many home gardeners. It starts with small dark spots on the blossom end of developing fruit, and quickly grows to form a sizable rotten area, ruining the harvest from what appear to be otherwise healthy plants.
The most common cause of blossomend rot is a calcium deficiency, often brought on by extreme fluctuations in soil moisture. Here are a few tips to keep blossom-end rot from ruining your tasty tomatoes this season. STOP blossom-end rot
Mulch the garden. Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch around each plant to prevent erratic moisture shifts. Don’t forget to keep the mulch at least 3 to 4 inches away from the FIGHT THE BLIGHT Blossom-end rot, small dark spots that expand over time to form a sizeable rotten area, is caused by a calcium deficiency in soil. Proper watering and fertilization are the key to preventing this common garden blight.
base of plants. Failing to do so will merely shift rot to another spot on the plant.
Irrigate correctly and add organic matter. Provide tomatoes with a consistent 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. If your soil is low in organic matter or you are working in raised beds, you’ll need to provide a little extra. Organic matter helps retain moisture and increases a plant’s ability to uptake calcium. A soil test will help determine the levels of organic matter and calcium in your garden and show you how to augment your tomato patch to provide the best chance for a successful harvest. For advice on soil testing, contact your county extension agent. A list of extension offices can be found at clemson.edu/extension/co.
Fertilize responsibly. Shoot for a pH level between 6.0 and 6.5, and use lime or gypsum to maintain an appropriate calcium supply. Use only the recommended amount of all fertilizers. Too much is, by definition, a bad thing, especially when it comes to nitrogen. Healthy leaves on tomato plants appear light green with no yellowing. Extremely dark green leaves may indicate too much nitrogen is present.
Name: Brachonid Wasp A beneficial parasite to the RESCUE
Target [host]: Tomato/Tobacco Hornworms
Method of attack: The brachonid wasp can track chemical compounds released by tomatoes in distress, and the cater pillars attacking them. Upon its arrival and detection of the enemy, the female wasp deposits numerous eggs into the host. Brachonid larvae emerge from the eggs and feed on the living caterpillar until maturity, and kill the pest in the process.
Value: After being attacked, a parasitized hornworm (easily distinguished by the visible mass of white cocoons protruding from its back) ceases to feed. It’s essential to leave these guys on your tomato plants because, soon, they’ll release a new generation of brachonid wasps to repeat the process. You should, however, remove healthy hornworms from your plants by hand. Dropping collected hornworms in a bucket of soapy water makes for quick and efficient dispatch.
LEAVE IT BE A parasitized tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) is covered in the cocoons of brachonid wasp larvae.
JOEY WILLIAMSON, HGIC, CLEMSON EXTENSION
South Carolina gardening regions and planting dates
Piedmont
SPRING May 1–30
FALL July 10–July 20
Central
SPRING April 5–April 25
FALL July 10–July 20
Coastal
SPRING March 25–April 10
FALL July 25–July 30
a place where tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and other solanaceous crops have been grown within the past three years. Many pests overwinter in the soil adjacent to plants and will terrorize unsuspecting gardeners.
Once you’ve selected the right spot, make sure to test your soil. Tomatoes are nutrient hogs that require a good supply of nutrients from start to finish, so you’ll likely need to fertil ize before and during the growing cycle. Adequate moisture is necessary for nutrient uptake. Drip irrigation works well and doesn’t soak leaves, which often leads to disease issues. Another often overlooked source for tomato pests are weeds. After clearing the site of any weeds, spread mulch 3–4 inches deep, and keep it a hand palm’s width from the bases of tomato stems.
Planting should only begin after the last frost date for your area. For the majority of South Carolina, this tends to fall between April to May for spring crops and July to August for fall crops. Take a look at the regional map for estimated plant ing dates in your area.
Pest management Imagine being able to predict when and how pests—“pests” refers to both the insects and diseases threatening plants in gardens and landscapes —will affect your tomatoes. This ability could provide not only an upper hand on potential pest problems, but may also save you a lot of time, money and heartache in the long run. Luckily, this form of pest management exists, and it begins with correctly identifying the pests in your garden.
Like the rising of the sun, pests are to be expected on some level. These levels, however, can be controlled or even avoided using a process known as Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, a multi-step decision-making process based on common sense. Protecting
Monitor and identify: Get to know your garden and what lives in it. Every area has specific pests to watch out for and plants that are more likely to facilitate their needs. Familiarizing yourself with the key pests of tomatoes in your area will speed up the monitoring process. Inspect plants for signs of injury or pest presence. Remember, look out for beneficial insects along the way and note how many you see. An increase in predator populations often means there is already a large pest population.
Beneficial insects work in our favor to keep pest popula tions in check, and should be protected from harsh chemicals at all costs. Praying mantis and lady beetles are both examples of efficient predators in the garden. Various parasites and dis eases also attack pest populations as they increase. Accurately identifying what lives in your yard makes a real difference and helps determine if treatments are warranted. For help identifying insect pests, call your local Clemson Extension agent. They regularly identify a wide variety of garden insects.
Make a decision: After spotting a pest or damage on tomatoes, decide if treatment is necessary. Consider whether or not real harm is being done to the landscape. Despite their annoyance, specific small pest populations can often be toler ated. Set thresholds to guide your treatment decisions. For example: You may decide there’s little benefit to treating a pest problem if there is less than 10% damage to the plant.
Choose a treatment: When choosing a treatment, consider using the least toxic measure first. Cultural methods such as proper watering, plant spacing and fertilization can help prevent or reduce the numbers of pests. Mechanical means are another option that requires the physical removal of pests and can be useful for small populations. For example,
JULY 2020
11th Annual Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival Here’s an event any tomato-lover will enjoy. Bring the family out to Columbia for a fun-filled day of live music, learning, and last but not least, delicious tomatoes. This event is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate local food and the people who provide it. You can even showcase your talent by entering your best tomato in the home grown tomato contest. Any way you slice it, this day of old-fashioned fun is a must-see for both young and seasoned gardeners alike.
For information on activities, the date and location of the 2020 event, visit tastytomatofestival.com.
hornworms are easily removable by hand-picking, and aphids are often washed away by a good squirt from a water hose. If attempts using these approaches fail, reach out to your local Clemson Extension agent for advice. Pesticide labels are the law, and many chemicals may be unethical or even illegal to use on fruit-bearing plants. Err on the side of caution and enjoy a safe, fun-filled growing season.
For more information on the common tomato pests, see HGIC 2217 and HGIC 2218 on Clemson’s Home and Garden Information Center at Clemson.edu/hgic.
Enjoying the pursuit Gardening should be an enjoyable release from the fastpaced world we live in. It’s an opportunity for us to serve as good stewards of the land, so when the time comes, we pass on something a little better to the next generation. If you really want to experience all that gardening has to offer this summer, focus on using it to produce memories instead of a crop. If you do, you’ll find everything begins to taste a little sweeter along the way.
CHASE SMOAK is an urban horticulture agent for Clemson Extension in Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties. Contact him at jsmoakj@clemson.edu.
